Classical homeschooling in Southern California

Summer Plan

Just because it’s summer doesn’t mean the learning stops. And I refuse to go without routines. Routines have become a bit of a mantra for me lately helping me with all areas of my life! Without them there is crazy and I end up with angry, bored kids and one very frustrated mama. So I’ve roughly planned out our summer based on routines and things I wanted to accomplish.

Now, this doesn’t mean I have our entire days scheduled to the minute. My kids have a lot of free time to do whatever they want, including screens. I don’t limit much. But our mornings are more structured.

Here’s Galleons Lap’s summer schedule!

I like to think this is pretty self explanatory, but how about some ideas of what we’ll do these days!

Monday: Library/Park Day

A once a week library trip is just what we need to keep up summer reading goals and participate in all the wonderful summer reading programs that are going on both online and locally. And right next door to the library is an incredible playground that includes not only slides and swings, but also building materials of all kinds, a sensory garden, chalk, trucks, sand toys, an art area with a new project always going on, and a water pump area with water tables that drain into a muddy creek bed. Everything is supplied by the city. All I do is bring a change of clothes, when I remember too, because the kids do get wet and muddy.

Tuesday: Art

This isn’t just drawing pictures, although I’m sure it will include that as well. We’re talking about sidewalk chalk paint, squirt guns filled with paint, clay, and lots of other messy, hands on activities that all three kids, even the toddler, can participate in.

Wednesday: Nature

This is our nature study day during the normal school year and it doesn’t really change in the summer time. We’ll still be getting out once a week, although there’s a lot more beaches involved and maybe not as much study.

Thursday: Field Trips

I always have a long list of places I want to go to or see that never seems to happen so making a special day dedicated to doing these things is perfect! We already have passes to the local Science Museum for days that we don’t want to spend a lot of money or time. But I’m also including trips to the water park, art museum, zoo, and anything else that comes up that I feel the desire to do. I know it’s summer, and many of these places will be crowded with camp kids and kids out on summer break. I’ve learned if you go early, at opening, and plan to spend just a few hours, not only do you beat the heat of the day, you also beat a lot of the crowds. And sometimes, you just have to deal with the crowds.

Friday: STEAM

If you don’t know, STEAM stands for Science, Technology, Engineering, Art, and Math. I’m setting aside a time to build, discover, and explore. This includes creating slime and putty, making catapults, building bridges for hot wheels out of tin foil, LED circuits out of play dough, and more.

It’s also summer of course, and some days/weeks we won’t get to it. We have family visiting, or traveling ourselves. Summer camps to attend. And days we’ll just want to hang out at the pool or splash pads. And that’s okay. Having a rough guide is important, but it’s just a guide.